31.
Today. I am 31 years old. My life today certainly isn’t what I thought it would be at this point. Here’s a list of the things I’m enjoying at age of 31:
- The company of those considerably older than me (like in their 70s).
- My family. I miss them more now than I ever have.
- Beer. All kinds… cheap, expensive, foreign, and domestic.
- Going to baseball games. I love the atmosphere of a baseball game.
- Sitting in my garage with my dog.
- My completely awesome wife!
- The thought of being a father someday.
- Less talking. More listening.
- Golf. That’s a strange one for me.
- My renewed sense of patriotism and respect for America’s soldiers.
- Being comfortable with who I am and what I do.
- Not striving to be something I’m not.
Seven Questions
I like to know what I’m getting into, before I commit to something. I always have the client’s best interest in mind, when I’m approached to do design work. I have a certain style that I work best in, and my style may not always be the best fit for a particular client’s needs. So, I have these questions to help me understand exactly what the client wants, and if I can deliver it.
Who is the target audience?
You have to know who you are trying to reach. A piece for men will look entirely different than a piece directed at women.
What is the message?
What exactly is the client trying to get across. For me, this question also means “What is the desired response?”
What is the “mood” of the message?
Happy? Sad? Patriotic? Scary? Emotional?
What are the specs of the project?
Mailer? Website? Sizes? Content?
What is the budget?
Some clients already have an idea of what they want to spend, some don’t.
Is there a specific deadline?
Always helpful to know.
Can the client provide creative direction?
This can include colors, fonts, other designs, etc.
These questions obviously aren’t the end-all solution for everyone, but they do help me to get a grasp on the project, before I commit to taking it on.